Manipur govt to take steps to deal with water shortage

Manipur government has decided to take all possible measures to supply water to the people in view of its acute shortage in the state due to no rainfall.
The decision to take all possible measures was taken during a Cabinet meeting on Monday evening presided over by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, official sources said.
Public Health and Engineering Department Minister Ngamthang Haokip said water at government tanks would last for next 20 days.
Manipur government spokesman and Education Minister M Okendro said the state government would try to pass a legislation to solve the water crisis for forever and initiate steps to plant more trees around water sources, catchment areas, dredging of the river course to allow proper deposition of water and to punish anyone who cut trees at the catchment areas.

"As for the moment, the first step would be to acquire water from sources where there is still water and supply it to the public," he said.
Water from big ponds at various localities and from Singda dam in Churachandpur district would be collected and supplied to public, the sources said.
Private water suppliers in Imphal, who normally charge Rs 200 for one kilolitre, are now reportedly charging Rs 700 to Rs 800.